In the Long Run

Last October some new neighbors moved into the house next door. In a gesture of friendliness to the newcomers, I made them some Rice Krispies treats. (I went all out; I even pressed a candy corn garnish into each one.) I took them over one morning, and rang the doorbell. No answer. A couple of days later in the afternoon, I went back next door with my offering. Still no answer. I returned home with the goodies, and eventually ate them myself.

In December, in a festive spirit, I made pumpkin bread for some friends and neighbors, and included the still unknown neighbors on my list. Their loaf of bread sat on my kitchen counter, awaiting delivery until January. Then I ate it myself.

By then, I admitted that I was a bad neighbor. Sure, I waved cheerily to the husband in his yard when I drove by, and one day when I was outside picking up the mail, I sweetly asked one daughter what her name was as she rode by on her bike. My husband even told another daughter to use the basketball goal on our driveway any time she wanted. But several times when I saw the family out in their yard, or garage, I hurried on into my own house or garage and quickly closed the door. There will be more opportunities for introductions when the weather is warmer, I rationalized to myself. I’ll get acquainted with them in the spring.

At work a couple of days ago, a pleasant woman came to the front desk to sign up her daughters for summer camp. As I entered information into the computer, we talked congenially about the weather, and how the school year had flown by, and the fact that summer was almost here. I stopped mid-sentence in surprise, as I noted that the home address listed for her daughters was the house next to mine. “Are you my neighbor?!” I blurted out.

We quickly ascertained that she, indeed, did live next door to me, although neither of us would have recognized each other. I lamely apologized for not having met her earlier, and even spilled out the Rice Krispies treats and pumpkin bread stories. She laughed, and said, “Oh, you’re too cute!” She was very nice, and thanked me for letting her daughters use our basketball goal and the backyard swings. I gave her the utmost attention and courtesy as we finished the camp signups, and she left, leaving me feeling somewhat abashed.

I think I’ll pay my neighbors a visit over the holiday weekend. I’m thinking chocolate chip cookies this time, and I vow not to eat them myself.

Posted by Cyppy at 2:45 PM